Food talk: Pomegranate

Pomegranate has immense powers to combat many diseases. Pranita Anand Gavankar, clinical dietician, Saudi German Hospital — Dubai says, the two compounds found in Pomegranates — punicalagins (potent antioxidants found in juice and peel) and punicic acid (found in seed oil in the arils) — make it a medicinal fruit.

She adds that the anti-inflammatory properties in the fruit helps to cure cough and sore throat, and is beneficial for people with arthritis.

‘Antioxidants in it help you to stay disease-free as they help to wrangle the hoards of free radicals in your system. Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial property heals common gum diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis, denture stomatitis and even yeast infection,’ says Gavankar.

The fruit also prevents plaque formation in the arteries and helps tackle anaemia. It also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels — keeping them under normal levels, she says. It slows cancer cell reproduction. Other benefits are its a remedy for diarrhoea, and other digestive problems; improves exercise performance by increasing blood flow, delaying fatigue and increasing exercise efficiency.